The Shepard left the 99 sheep on the hill!

I hope you had a wonderful Independence Day weekend!  My family was fortunate enough to enjoy the day together playing and enjoying some fresh air.  2020 continues to be a year different than any other year in my short lifetime.  It has been stressful at times to say the least.  And in that stress, many of us have found ourselves on opposite sides of discussions with friends and family members.  My prayer is that we are all able to speak openly and honestly during these times with words that reflect Jesus in every way.

Today I wanted to share with you some thoughts I’ve had these past few weeks regarding the parable of the lost sheep.  As I listen and read dialogue around civil liberties, racism, Covid-19, masks, police, protests etc., the parable of the lost sheep often comes up in the dialogue.  Many of us are familiar with that parable which can be found in Luke 15 and Matthew 18.  Here is the passage from Matthew. 

Matthew 18:10-14 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

Often this parable is referenced to backup efforts supporting an individual or group of individuals who are in the minority (whether that be race, wealth, health risks, etc.).  I understand that application.  I believe Jesus wanted us to know that He cared so much about that single sheep who was lost, that He would leave the others on the hills and go bring home that lost sheep.  His desire is that everyone is brought to salvation in His name.  It’s easy for us to then say, if we are to be like Jesus, we too should help that lost sheep.  And we should!  But we should also leave the 99 others behind.

In the parable, I believe that the Shepard knew the other 99 sheep were safe.  They were with Him.  He was fine leaving them behind to go seek the lost sheep.  The parable does NOT say that the Shepard brought with Him the 99 sheep through the thorny brush and dark treacherous valley risking their lives as well.  He left them behind.  Sometimes I think we forget that part.  We get very passionate about saving the lost sheep and we take along others with us that might not be ready for the journey.  I hope I’m making sense here.  Every person on this earth matters to Jesus!  As Christians we are called to help bring home the lost sheep.  We need to keep searching for those who are lost and sometimes that will mean, as you go out on the journey, leaving others behind who are already in His presence!

I hope that you heard my heart today.  As always, I’d love to hear your feedback on my thoughts or if there is anything that you’d like to share.  Have a wonderful day and please help me ensure that NO MAN or SHEEP IS LEFT BEHIND!